Starting platform wedge assembly

ABSTRACT

An anchor for a rectangular tube employs a wedge assembly, whereby rotation of an adjustment bolt of the wedge assembly moves an upper and lower wedge member together, and the wedge engagement with a central wedge member causes said central wedge member to move toward engagement with the tube, thereby securing the tube within a base body. Clevis pins and corresponding key hole slots mount the wedge assembly to a base, while allowing easy removal of the wedge when desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mounting of structures, and more particularly,to a starting platform wedge assembly for securing a starting platformto an anchor member.

In swimming pool technology, a starting platform is mounted at the edgeof a pool, from which a swimmer will dive into the pool, particularly inthe case of competition swimming. It is typical for such startingplatforms to be held in place by a square tube member that fits into acorresponding square receiver at the edge of the pool. The platform isthereby mountable at the pool edge.

Since many commercial pools enjoy multiple uses, the starting wedges aretypically removed and installed as needed for the particular usepresently being employed.

It becomes difficult to provide a rigid mounting engagement of thestarting platform with the base at the pool edge that is also adaptedfor repeated installation and removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, an improved mounting devices isprovided for attaching a starting platform or the like, employing anadjustable wedge structure that enables either permanent or removableinstallation with easy operation, to provide a rigid engagement with ananchor post.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved starting platform anchor wedge device.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod and apparatus for removably mounting a square post member in areceiving base.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedswimming starting platform anchor post wedge device to secure thestarting platform.

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification.However, both the organization and method of operation, together withfurther advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection withaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment the starting postanchor wedge inside an anchor body with a starting platform installedtherein;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the anchor post wedge assembly of FIG. 1with the post removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wedge assembly of FIG. 1 with a postinstalled therein;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the configuration of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the wedge assembly of FIG. 2 in a collapsedstate;

FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the wedge assembly of FIG. 2 in a fullyexpanded position;

FIG. 9 is a top view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the wedge assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a side transparent view of the starting wedge of FIG. 2 inthe fully expended position;

FIG. 12 is a side transparent view of the starting wedge of FIG. 2 inthe fully collapsed position;

FIG. 13 is a side transparent view of the detail of the clevis pin andsprings of the anchor wedge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the starting post wedge anchor of FIG. 2 whenassembled;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventioncomprises an anchor wedge assembly for securing a square cross sectionanchor post in a receiving base, applying continuous even pressure tothe post to prevent movement thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a preferred embodimentthe starting post anchor wedge inside an anchor body with a startingplatform installed therein, the starting platform 70 is suitablereceived in the anchor housing 12, to provide a stable mounting. Theplatform includes a step 72 and a launch region 74, where a diver mighttypically stand while preparing to jump off the starting platform. Thedeck level 76 of the pool is illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1. Anescutcheon plate 88 is suitably employed to cover the top portion of thedevice, providing both protection from the elements and tampering, andadding an aesthetic appearance.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the preferred embodiment ofthe anchor 10, the anchor includes a base body 12, suitable formed ofstainless steel, which is adapted to be mounted with its top edge flushwith the level of the deck surrounding the pool, for example. The basebody, receives an anchor liner member 16 therewithin, which is suitablya “U”-shaped or “C”-shaped polymer insert, having an open face along oneside thereof, and is of a length slightly less than the depth of thebase body, whereby when fully inserted into the base body, a slightrecess is defined between the top of the anchor liner and the top edgeof the base body. The anchor post (not illustrated) is received withinthe anchor liner, the dimension of the anchor liner suitably beingcorrespondent to receive the anchor post therewithin.

An anchor wedge assembly 22 mounts along the interior face of the basebody in a position corresponding to the open face of the anchor liner,and comprises a lower wedge 32, a middle wedge 34 and an upper wedge 36.An actuating bolt 38 is positioned centrally of the upper wedge 36, andis received in and extends through a central bore defined in the topwedge, extending down along the face of the center wedge (in a slot 62defined therein) to a threaded receiver defined in a vertical bore inthe lower wedge 34 (not visible in FIG. 2). A pair of coil springs 40,40′ receives the actuating bolt therethrough and biases the upper andlower wedges in the directions of arrows 42 by engagement of seatportions 44 and 46 of the upper and lower wedges (not visible in FIG.2).

A pair of clevis pins 80 are adapted to mount to the central wedge 34through corresponding through holes therein, and are adapted to fit intocorresponding key hole slots 78 defined in a face of the base body 12.The ends of the clevis pins opposite those engagable with the key holeslots carry heads of greater diameter than the holes in wedge 34. A pairof springs 60 and washers 58 cooperate with the greater diameter headportion of the clevis pins so as to provide a biasing force.

A ground lug 24 is provided at the base of the body 12, via threadedbolt 82 and split lock washer 84 (both suitable made of stainless steel)to enable attachment of a grounding strap thereto.

A side cover 86, suitably made of a stainless steel, is provided tocover the keyhole slots 78. A drain hole 90 (visible in FIGS. 4, 5 and16) may suitable be provided in the bottom of base 12, centrally locatedfor example.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the wedge assembly ofFIG. 1 with a post 18 installed therein, corresponding elements to theembodiment of FIG. 1 are employed. The placement of the side cover 86when assembled is further illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the configuration of FIG. 3, while FIG. 5 is asectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. The placement of oneclevis pin 80 is illustrated by showing the pin in the foreground ofFIG. 5. Insert 16 is suitably made of a urethane.

Further details of the assembled wedge may be observed with reference toFIGS. 7-10 and 11-13, while the assembled wedge installed into the base12 is shown in further examples in FIGS. 14-16.

The operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-14 provides easier removal ofthe wedge portion by the use of the keyhole slots and clevis pins whichfit therein and slid down to the desired position. The bias of springs60 urge engagement of the clevis pins against the body 12, but alloweasier removal of the wedge if necessary. Adjustment of the wedge byrotation of actuating bolt 38 causes the wedge to expand or contract, totightly engage the post 12.

Accordingly, the embodiments described herein provide a rigid yetremovable engagement of a post, which may be a support post for astarting platform as used in diving and swimming competition, forexample. The engagement is sufficient to provide desired quality ofengagement of the supporting post.

While plural embodiments of the present invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manychanges and modifications may be made without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are thereforeintended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An anchor member for a post, comprising: at least one of an upperwedge member and a lower wedge member; a central wedge member having anengaging face; and an actuation member for causing relative movementbetween said at least one upper and lower wedge members and said centralwedge member, thereby urging the engaging face of said central wedgemember into engagement with the post.
 2. The anchor member according toclaim 1, wherein said upper wedge member and said lower wedge member arepresent, positioned on opposite sides of said central wedge member,wherein said actuation member comprises an actuation bolt engaged withsaid upper and lower wedge members, so as to draw said upper and lowerwedge members toward one another when tightened, thereby causing saidcentral wedge member engaging face to move toward the post.
 3. Theanchor wedge member according to claim 1, further comprising a biasingmember to urge said at least one upper and lower wedge members away fromsaid central wedge member.
 4. The anchor wedge member according to claim1, further comprising an engaging fastener to attach said central wedgemember to a base body while allowing easy removal of said central wedgemember.
 5. The anchor wedge member according to claim 4, wherein saidengaging fastener comprises a clevis pin.
 6. The anchor wedge memberaccording to claim 5, wherein the base body has a corresponding key holeslot to receive the clevis pin therein.
 7. The anchor wedge memberaccording to claim 4, further comprising an anchor liner positionedwithin said base body for receiving the post therein.
 8. The anchorwedge member according to claim 8, wherein said anchor liner comprises apolymer.
 9. A method of anchoring a post, comprising, positioning a postwithin a receiving member; providing a moveable wedge member within saidreceiving member adapted to move toward and away from the post; andmoving said wedge member toward the post so as to urge the wedge memberand post into tight engagement, thereby anchoring the post to saidreceiving member.
 10. The method according to claim 9, furthercomprising providing an anchor liner member within said receivingmember.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said anchor membercomprises a polymer.
 12. The method according to claim 10, furthercomprising providing an engaging fastener to removably anchor saidmoveable wedge member to a base.
 13. The method according to claim 12,wherein said engaging fastener comprises a clevis pin.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein the base has a corresponding key holeslot to receive the clevis pin therein.
 15. An anchor device for arectangular tube member, comprising: a base body; a liner member withinsaid base body, said liner member comprising a “C”-shaped polymerdefining at least one open face along an extent of the base body; awedge assembly secured to said base body along a portion of the openface of said liner member and defining a receiving portion to receivethe rectangular tube between said liner member and said wedge assembly;and an adjustment device for adjustably extending or retracting aportion of said wedge assembly into engagement against the rectangulartube when received in the receiving portion.
 16. The anchor deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein said wedge assembly comprises an upper,central and lower wedge member.
 17. The anchor device according to claim16, wherein said adjustment device comprises an adjustment bolt engagedwith said upper and lower wedge members, whereby rotation of saidadjustment bolt urges said upper and lower wedge member closer orfarther apart, and wherein said upper and lower wedge members and saidcentral wedge member cooperate such that said central wedge member isthereby urged toward or away from engagement with said rectangular tube.18. The anchor device according to claim 16, further comprising abiasing member for urging said upper and lower wedge members away fromone another.
 19. The anchor device according to claim 15, furthercomprising a biasing member for urging said wedge assembly away fromengagement with the rectangular tube in absence of said adjustmentdevice extending said wedge assembly into the rectangular tube.
 20. Theanchor device according to claim 15, wherein said wedge assembly isadapted for easy removal.
 21. The anchor device according to claim 1,wherein said wedge assembly is adapted for easy removal.